In 2016, the supermarket chain Korzinka had 18 retail locations. “At that time, we held back and said, 'We’ve grown too fast, let's stay away from the evil eyes,'" recalls Zafar Khashimov, the company's founder and chairman of the supervisory board. By 2019, the number of Korzinka stores across Uzbekistan reached 50. Today, that number is approaching 200. If you ask the company’s ambitious team, they have no intention of stopping there.
The company attracted funds from institutional investors for expansion, modernization, and alignment to international standards as well as for building the largest logistics center in Central Asia, covering an area of 49,000 square meters.
Thus, we reached out to Zafar Khashimov, the founder of this company, the biggest taxpayer and employer in retail and inquire about the secrets behind the business's expansion.
VISION
Entrepreneur should be able to anticipate the future and have a definite perception of the kind of business they want to create, as well as its potential role in the society. For those entrepreneurs who aim to construct big companies and broaden their trading and operational range, this is particularly indispensable.
ASPIRATION
I contend that genuine entrepreneurs are, in some way, visionaries. They live immersed in their aspirations for the future. Business owners must reflect on how the goods they produce or the services they offer can fundamentally transform people's lives, allowing the thought of “How can I introduce innovation and ease into people's lives?" to propel them forward. Only then, they will be able to cultivate a necessary drive to establish a thriving and lucrative business, attract dedicated and talented individuals to their teams, and, undoubtedly, ensure that their customers consistently value their products.
INVOLVEMENT
When comparing business management to the filmmaking process, the entrepreneur does not merely occupy a role akin to that of a producer or director. The specific role they play depends on the phase, at which their venture currently stands. Entrepreneurship is an exceedingly dynamicn endeavor. At the outset of your business, you assume multiple roles –operator, director, costume designer, makeup artist, screenwriter, and potentially even the lead actor. As your business evolves, you assign tasks to experts responsible for specific functions within the process.
GUIDANCE
A successful entrepreneur, capable of soaring with open arms, must undoubtedly be a strategist. They are required to adopt a bird's-eye view of the entire organization, which encompasses various business processes, guiding their team towards the most optimal outcomes.
However, as I have previously mentioned, the natural stages of business development dictate that in the early phases of a company's existence, the entrepreneur is directly involved in the operations of all departments. This hands-on experience enables them to gain a comprehensive understanding of what transpires at every step in the complete chain of processes.
As the business evolves, its primary objective will be to provide the necessary resources and conditions for specialists, along with thorough monitoring. Not merely control; it suffices to place the right specialists with strong management skills in the appropriate positions. Do you wish to grow? Step away from day-to-day operations and focus on long-term strategies and the subsequent steps for the business.
INTERVIEW BY SAIDAZIZ AZAMOV
